Accidental discharges?

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 8:34 pm Post subject: Accidental discharges?

Someone on another forum I visit asked if anyone had ever had an accidental discharge while handling a gun. Up to the point where I read it no one had, or would admit to it.

Well, I've had three "ADs" in the last 45 years to be honest about it. All on the range, one my fault and two equipment problems. The first was when I was a teen, firing my first semiauto rifle. I'd fired, lowered the muzzle to answer someone and when I raised the gun to fire again I had my finger on the trigger. The round hit just in front of my feet. Valuable lesson, luckily with no injury! The second was a friend's target rifle, on which he'd "adjusted" the trigger. It went off when I closed the bolt, the bullet striking the berm behind the targets. The third was another friend's 1911 that fired when I released the slide, actually hitting the target. The first was pure stupidity and inexperience on my part. The other two show that "stuff can happen" and point out the importance of muzzle control.

How about the folks here?

slimjim · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 10:34 pm Post subject: Re: Accidental discharges?

Accidental meaning the firearm discharged was not intended. I've had 4 over 45 years. Three were equipment related but all were ultimately my fault in that my finger was on the trigger..I've taken corrective action to prevent recurrence. Muzzle control is a critical element of safety.

gelandangan · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 10:46 pm Post subject: Re: Accidental discharges?

I have had TWO.
Both when I first got either rifle.
The first one, a 22LR I forgot which side the trigger lock knob supposed to be pressed to, to lock the trigger on the rifle..
Discharged to the air..

The second one is on a 308 Win Ruger MK77, pointing at a goat, I forgot that I have locked the trigger.
Squeze.. squeeze.. Nothing!!
Pull the rifle back from my shoulder to see whats going on, forgot all together about finger in trigger when I flipped the safety with my left hand..
Badaboommm... 2 dead goats.. and lots of the other runs away..

English Mike · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 10:59 pm Post subject: Re: Accidental discharges?

I think the word "accidental" isn't the right one to cover the multitude of circumstances, ranging from reckless to mechanical failure in nature.
I suggest "unintentional discharge" would be a more blame neutral description.

I've had two:

Stuck my finger in the trigger guard of an air rifle as I picked it up in my bedroom & put a pellet into the wall. Embarassed

Pulled the trigger on the para FAL I was shooting & had it double due to a worn hammer shelf & a lack of safety sear due to an insane ATF diktat. Mad

PaulS · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 1:19 am Post subject: Re: Accidental discharges?

I've had one, releasing the trigger on a rifle that had just had "a trigger job". I took the gun to my smith and had a Timney trigger installed. The discharged round when into the ground about eight feet in front of me.

Donut Slayer · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 8:06 am Post subject: Re: Accidental discharges?

I've had a couple. If you mess with guns long enough, you will have one. My most memoriable one happened just after I had cleaned my Dads revolver. I re-loaded it and was putting it back into the case to put back into his bedroom. I took a rag was wiping the fingerprints off so they wouldnt cause rust spots. The rag snagged on something, not realising it was the trigger, dumb arse me snatched the rag. I was holding the revolver by the barrel with my left hand. Lost the feeling in my pinky and ring finger for 2 days. Did kill a pot holder above the kitchen stove though.

Bushmaster · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 8:46 am Post subject: Re: Accidental discharges?

No such thing as an "accidental discharge"!! Firearms DO NOT go off by themselves.

All unintended discharges are "negligent discharges" period!!

Cause and effect gentlemen. Cause and effect...

And I have had three over the years since I was 18.

Aloysius · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 9:14 am Post subject: Re: Accidental discharges?

Bushmaster, how would you call this: I took a Krico semi-auto in .22 LR outside with (lucky only) 3 rounds in the magazin. I pulled the bolt to load it and when I released the bolt, the 3 rounds went in full-auto in the grass in my garden. I never trust a Krico semi-auto anymore, because I already have seen it happen a few times and not only with my rifle!

But there was also a time that I shot a .32 ACP just beneath the window of my office at home, just checking if the trigger was OK. It didn't work without magazin and the one I put in was not empty... I think when I should do such a thing more than once... now they already mentioned Altzheimer...
never say never...

Suzanne · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 9:22 am Post subject: Re: Accidental discharges?

Ok I got the best one....My dad gave me an air rifle that he took apart and couldn't get back together. I got it all done, every part in it's place and took it over to his house to give it back. Pumped it once to show him it worked and pulled the trigger, it had a pellet in it, I was in the house, and it hit a closet door. I really didn't know it had a pellet in it, but why in the world would I do that indoors? Taught me a lesson real quick, he just laughed, I was sick to say the least. Uh........ it was a negligent discharge..... period Very Happy

Bushmaster · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 9:53 am Post subject: Re: Accidental discharges?

Aloysius...Still a Negligent discharge. Falls under the heading of neglecting or improper maintenance or handling of the weapon.

English Mike · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 10:14 am Post subject: Re: Accidental discharges?

Bushmaster wrote:

Aloysius...Still a Negligent discharge. Falls under the heading of neglecting or improper maintenance or handling of the weapon.

I've seen issues with firearms straight from the manufacturer/armourer that caused them to malfunction.
Negligent manufacture or maintenance yes, discharge I think not.
I would rather the negligent discharge description be kept for cases where poor firearms handling is the cause.

Bushmaster · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 10:31 am Post subject: Re: Accidental discharges?

There are NO accidental discharges of firearms...including manufacturers failures. All are "cause and effect"...

There is no such thing as an accident by man, Negligence? Yes. Most definately.

Step on my toe? No accident...You weren't paying attention to where you were planting your big feet. Negligence...

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 10:34 am Post subject: Re: Accidental discharges?

If we're going to get picky... Wink

From Merriam-Webster:

Negligent - failing to exercise the care expected of a reasonably prudent person in like circumstances

Accidental - happening without intent or through carelessness and often with unfortunate results

Looks like "accidental" will cover it.

Bushmaster · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 10:43 am Post subject: Re: Accidental discharges?

Aah, but note the word "carelessness"...Not to mention "without intent".

I would call both of those as negligent.

Aloysius · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 10:49 am Post subject: Re: Accidental discharges?

Are we going to fight? Is Stovey still in the barn?

Just a question: is nobody using a Krico semi-auto in .22 LR overthere? They are very good to shoot, very accurate, nice handling, soft trigger... but now and then they go on there own and this has nothing to do with proper maintenance.

Take the SA-FN before they gave it a 2-part firing-pin they often went full-auto when supposed to be semi-auto. Lucky they also have a very small magazin... but even then it still is a surprise when it happens (and it still can happen, even with the 2-part firing-pin installed! I know that for sure Smile

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